Having Spent Several Days in Argostoli on Kefalonia, we left with full tanks, both, water and Fuel. We were pleased to find that since leaving Reposto over two months previously we had only used 75 litres of Diesel. With this, we had travelled back and forth to Taoromina several times, crossed to Greece and spent at least three weeks cruising around the Ionian. So we were very pleased with our economical fuel use. Obviously choosing where and when to travel helps, as once the sails are up no more diesel is needed.

We motored up the Lixouri inlet and found a beach at the head where we anchored. Going ashore discovered it totally uninhabited. Tonight we would try out our new Cobb Barbecue on the beach. Returning to Argonauta we made preparations. Back ashore just before sunset,the beach was littered with drift wood, after lighting the BBQ we also lit a bonfire on the shore's edge. Pork, Chicken, Roasted potatoes and tomatoes never tasted better. We also tried to cook some Apricots for desert. Unfortunately we had been slightly stingy with the amount of charcoal used, and the BBQ was on its way out. Transfering the hot plate across to the bonfire, the apricots cooked beautifully. After clearing up and thoroughly dousing the fire we dinghyed back to Argonauta for a very calm night with not a soul around. The only sign of life was a farmhouse up on the cliffs about 2 miles away, perfect!

Next morning we left for Zykinthos. First stop was the tiny little port of AY Nikolias, initially on arrival we thought we would have to anchor outside the harbour as all spaces seemed taken. We managed to squeeze between a Swedish yacht and a large catamaran on the old quay, Jackie helming us into the tight space perfectly. Ay Nikolias is mostly used by tourists as a location to board the mirad of tiny pleasure boats and view the blue caves about a mile north of the harbour. They arrive by the coach load, embark in the boats, return back onto the coaches and by 5pm all is quiet again. Except for the few other yachts overnighting in the harbour we had it to ourselves. The place whilst busy and frantic during the day becomes calm and relaxing once the tourist have gone.
We spent three nights here. The second day, shunning the organised tours to the caves, we fitted our larger 8Hp outboard to the dinghy and taking cameras and plenty of water, did our own tour of the caves.

The final day we relaxed, swam off the beach. Jackie befriended a old boy selling his local honey and olive oil to the tourists. She had noted him the previous day sat out in the sun all the time waiting for people to come back on the boats. She felt he should have a cold drink, so armed with some really chilled lemon tea she went over and offered him a glass. He was quite surprised calling her a beautiful lady. He insisted we try his honey and olive oil, getting out some home-made bread to try each with. Eventually we purchased two jars of honey which was delightful. Later that evening as he was packing up to go home he came over to Argonauta and gave us two loaves of the home made bread obviously not used for that days tastings, and said his wife would be baking more for him for tomorrow.

Leaving the next morning we managed a calm but slow sail down to Zakinthos town and tied up on the busy town quay. Here for the first time we paid for a mooring 30 euros for two nights. Not bad really, but having not paid so far, it seemed a lot. Jackie's friend Tess was flying in the next day, so we set off on our bikes,using the GPS to guide us to find the local Lidil. It was a bit further than we had anticipated and having made our purchases & crammed all our goods into two rucksacks, 'one each', and the shopping trolley, that also acts as our bike trailer, we set off back. We'd evidently had the wind to our backs on the way out, also not really noticing that a lot of the trip had been downhill. So with full loads, wind in our faces, and going up hill we struggled to get back to the boat. Jackie arriving shattered by all the effort. That night she got the most awful leg cramps as a result of all the exertion in the heat.